Portable extension-scaffold.



J. THAUBALD., PORTABLE EXTENSION SGAFFOLD.

APPLIUATION ULEB 00T. a, 1910.

Patented May 2, 1911.

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5 ff i4 ATTO RJVEY J. THAUBALD. PORTABLE EXTENSION SGAFFOLD. APPLIGATION FILED orma, 1910.

991,182, Patented May 2, 1911.

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JOI-IN THAUBALD, OF ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA.

PORTABLE EXTENSION-SCAFFOLD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1911.

Application filed Getober 3, 1910. Serial No. 585,040.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN THAUBALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkins, in the county of Randolph and State of WV est Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Portable Extension- Scalfolds, of which the following is a speciication.

My invention relates to improvements in portable extension scalfolds, and the objects thereof are to provide a scaffold of this character which may be adjusted at various heights without dissembling the sections; and to devise means for securing rigid joints and effectively bracing the sections at all points to resist maximum strain.

To the accomplishment of the recited objects, and others coordinate therewith, the preferred embodiment of my invention resides in the construction and arrangement hereinafter described, illust-rated in the accompanying drawings, and embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings: Figure l is a perspective view of the complete scaffold embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the stationary ladder section, illustrating the manner of securing one of the horizontal braces, and Fig. 3 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective of the diagonal brace and the means for connecting same to the rung of the ladder. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the brace utilized in conjunction with the movable sections, and Fig. 6 is a plan view thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a series of stationary vertical ladder sections, and 6 the upper movable series, capable of being indefinitely lengthened by the superposition of port, are connected adjacent the bottom by which virtually constitute the prime support, are connected adjacent the bottom by the parallel transversely disposed sections 7, the ends of which rest on the rungs 8, pairs of diagonal braces 9 being arranged on opposite extremities of said sections 7 and terminally fastened to the lower rung of the stationary section by the device exhibited in Fig. 4. This device comprises, preferably, a strip of sheet-metal 10 suitably secured at each end to the end and underneath side of the brace 9, that portion of the metal inten mediate being bent upon itself, as at 11, and then struck-up at 12, to form a curved seat or rest for the rung, the said struck-up portion further constituting a support for the thumb-screw 13, either wing of which is designed to extend sutliciently over the rung to maintain the parts relatively rigid. Platforms 14 may be supported by these transverse sections 7, and if it is desired, the identical arrangement of the transverse sections and braces may be utilized on the movable sections, the adaptability of a single set being illustrated in Fig. 1. rlhe stationary sections 5 are further provided with horizontal braces 15 connected by the crosspieces 16. As will be found u on inspection of Figs. 3 and 4, the terminals of the braces 15 are equipped with two pairs of spaced lateral parallel staywblocks 17 which project on opposite sides of the rung S and are interposed with respect to the ladder stiles with their inner adjacent ends sepa rated to present an opening 18 for the passage of the extension rope 19. A piece of strap-iron 20 is pivoted to one of the stay blocks and is slotted at 21 for coperation with the thumb-screw 22 in holding the parts in proper relation.

The movable extension sections 6 are designed to be connected by braces, as 23, carrying at each end a strap-iron hinge 24, which surrounds the inner stiles of said sections at points just above the rungs and are detachably secured to said braces by the screws 25. A lip 26 is formed on the free end of each hinge to facilitate manipulation. It will appear manifest that these braces may be adjusted longitudinally of the stiles in any position desired, and will thus aid in scaffolding. Reliable means, as 27, are also provided whereby the movable sections may be quickly and easily raised or lowered, or quickly and readily stopped and held at any desired point in the extension thereof. As will be seen, the connection of two ladder structures by the braces 15 is so arranged that each brace connects only corresponding sections, the connections being such that adjustment of ladder sections lengthwise can be had without disturbing the braces; and this Same arrangement is substantially present in the means for connecting two ladder structures together to form the scaffold structure by the use of the connections 7 By this construction, it will be readily understood that by manipulating the ropes or cables which provide for the extensibility of the ladder sections, the platform carried by any of the movable sections can be raised or lowered without requiring any manipulation of the braces either for the platform or for the ladder structures. This is especially advantageous where the platform is to be stationed at a considerable height from the ground, since it can be laid with the sections practically nested, after which the sections are extended to place t-he platform at the desired station.

Vhat is claimed, is:

l. In a scaffold, the combination of a pair of vertical ladder structures, a brace connecting said structures and extending in approximate parallelism with the rungs of the structures, each brace having spaced parallel stay-blocks having their directions of length corresponding to the direction of length of the brace and adapted to fit one above and one below a rung of the structures, and having a length approximately equal to the distance between opposing inner sides of t-he stiles of the structures, said stayblocks having a medial opening, and means for fastening said stayblocks with respect to the rungs.

2. 4In combination, two spaced-apart ladder structures each comprising a base section and one or more sections extensible with respect thereto, said structures having outer sides of their stiles in opposition to each other, and independent means for connecting corresponding sections of the two structures to retain them in spaced relationship, the connecting means for a lower section being located on the outer side of the sections so connected and engaging the sections withand engaging the sections without affecting 5 a free adjustment longitudinally of the sections thereabove, said scaffold structures facing one another and being connected together in spaced relationship, said connections including means for connecting oppos- 5 ing corresponding upper ladder sections together, said means being supported by the ladder rungs and providing a platform support not extending so as to conflict with the adjustment vertically of the upper sections 6 and being movable with the sections during their adjustment.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. 6

JOHN THAUBALD.

' Witnesses:

I-I. M. RAY, J. S. LINGAMFELTED.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. i 

